Just last night, “Hunter” texted me before youth group: Don’t mention I said anything but…..can u speak on why it’s a sin to smoke (weed). Then, DURING youth group, another kid reported that “Tony,” one of our sophomores, had been arrested that afternoon for selling pot at school.

I know what my youth pastor will be talking about next Wednesday night….

Dr. Krista Lisdahl, from the University of Wisconsin, says that adolescence is the “absolute worst time,” to use marijuana, and cites plenty of studies to support her concerns. Decreases in memory, shrinking problem-solving abilities, a loss of IQ, lower grades, and other problems can be attributed to marijuana use during the teen years.

Clearing the AirThe problem is turning heads (again), causing many to look for the guilty party. Do we blame the increase in teens’ marijuana use on music? Social media? Energy drinks? The list of possible culprits could be a long one. I suggest we focus on finding a solution rather than a scapegoat on which to place blame. Here are a few ideas for clearing the air with our kids when it comes to marijuana use.

Be honest about any marijuana use in your past. You don’t have to recount every single failure from your younger years, nor do you have to get up on a repetitive soap box, but it will help to maintain a consistent message about regrets associated with any previous marijuana use. Lots of parents say things like “I wish I’d never bought that car,” or “If I only knew how those friends were going to influence me,” or “I should have taken better care of my finances,” etc. Just make sure your kids know that you consider any use from your past a mistake. Your vulnerability will breed theirs, and that will really get the conversation going. By the way, here are some interesting talking points that answer questions parents may face from their kids on the subject.

Outline the dangers of marijuana use. No, you don’t have to scour the Internet searching for the most gruesome pictures of car accidents that happened as a result of teen marijuana use, just have rational conversations that touch on the consequences of drug use. If you use “what if?” scenarios, don’t just focus on the “lifeless-body-in-a-ditch” images. Ask questions to make them think about everyday problems such as developmental hindrances, legal issues, the formation of bad habits, and so on. Give them “real world” realities that make them think about their actions.

Put marijuana use under the illumination of God’s Word. Granted, marijuana use isn’t specifically mentioned in the Bible. (“Getting stoned” 2,000 years ago was something completely different!) But there are plenty of passages in God’s Word that talk about responsible, godly decisions, and avoiding unnecessary dangers. There are also plenty of passages that talk about the wise use of money, as opposed to the waste of drugs. There are also plenty of references to obeying the laws of the land. In short, though the Bible doesn’t mention marijuana outright, it still has a lot to say about it.

Marijuana will never go away. Just because today’s kids have plenty of alternatives for getting high – aerosols, prescription meds, etc. – doesn’t mean they’ll abandon the “tried and true” drug that has captivated millions of people in the last few generations. So, do everything within your power to make sure Mary Jane isn’t popular with your teenager.

﻿

David R. Smith is a 15-year youth ministry veteran who helps youth
workers and parents through his writing, training, and speaking. David specializes in sharing the
gospel, and equipping others do the same. He co-authored his first book this year,
Ministry By Teenagers. David provides free
resources to anyone who works with teenagers on his website, DavidRSmith.org.
David resides with his wife and son in Tampa, Florida.

Comments on this post

Chico

4/10/2014 4:35:22 AM

I realize that just because something is legal does not mean that it's Godly. And, this doesn't just apply to the subject matter of this article. But, I think that with the direction this country is going, using references about "obeying the laws of the land" is getting less and less beneficial to us youth workers. Instead, we have to rely more and more heavily on Romans 12:2.
I DO like the recommendation of sharing our own experiences. I've never shied away from the issues of my past with my teens. I can't tell you how many times one of them has come up to me after a service and said, "Hey, can I talk to you about [the sin and struggles about which I had just finished teaching]." One of the biggest keys I've found to youth ministry is just being as transparent as a picture window. The more honest we are, the more likely we are to connect with THAT particular teen.

dan manns

4/7/2014 9:49:58 AM

David, thanks for writing on such a relevant topic! i wish the proponents of legalizing marijuana for recreational use could sit in on a counselling session with me and the families whose lives are devastated by this so-called "innocent" drug. marijuana is a hallucinogen by definition. it affects the delicate balance of chemicals in the brain. and while some can ingest it without a perceived negative consequence, (wagging my head) there are many others whose experiences are not so innocuous. i know of several families whose children starting using marijuana "recreationally" when they were in their teens who now have serious mental issues. many have been in and out of psychiatric centers and now struggle with multiple personality disorders, bi-polar issues and depression. all of them have had trouble with the law. and in every single case the family has endured a living hell. these are kids who had no mental problems prior to using marijuana. i just wish the legislators in Colorado could see the correlation between marijuana smoking and mental health before they passed their irresponsible legislation. thank you for bringing this topic to light! we as youth leaders need to tackle this topic head on!

Walter

4/7/2014 8:33:50 AM

Thanks for this article. This is something most kids think is just "no big deal."